This is a true story wrote in the Augusta Chronicle 9-2-01. This is my true story. Read carefully it might make you think twice about what you do, if your driving or ridding.
This is my brothers story. Dont let it happen to you!
Two Augusta men died early Sunday morning when the pickup they were in crashed into a home
on Lake Shore Loop behind Lake Olmstead.
According to a Richmond County accident report, the driver of the vehicle, Shawn Robinson, 21, of the 2200 block of Martin Road, was traveling at a high rate of speed when the truck struck a road sign at 3:03 a.m. at the intersection of Lake Terrace and Lake Shore Loop.
Christopher Phipps, 21, of the 100 block of St. Barts Drive, also died in the crash.
After hitting the sign, the 1991 Chevrolet pickup continued through a nearby yard before it crashed into a home at 10 Lake Shore Loop.
The vehicle, wedged underneath the house, then caught fire, the report states.
Robert Miller (left) and Jim Tar and examine the charred hole left in Mr. Tar's home when a truck crashed into the home and caught fire Sunday. Both occupants of the truck were killed in the early-morning crash.
Richmond County firefighters, police and residents brought the fire under control.
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Phipps were pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Grover Tuten.
They were taken to the crime lab for toxicology tests, Mr. Tuten said.
''We do that on every violent death in Richmond County,'' he said.
Although both victims suffered burns from the fire, Mr. Tuten said the cause of death was blunt force trauma from the impact of the crash.
''Fire was a contributing factor but not the single factor,'' he said.
Mr. Robinson, who was killed instantly, suffered third-degree burns over 25 percent of his body, two broken legs, a possible broken neck and a crushed chest, Mr. Tuten said.
Mr. Phipps died at the scene of the accident at about 4:15 a.m., Mr. Tuten said. The man sustained second- to third-degree burns to his lower body, a crushed pelvis, broken ribs and two broken legs.
The owner of the damaged house, Jim Tar, and his girlfriend, Kristen Varn, were not injured.
The home, which Mr. Tar built and has lived in for three years, was littered with wood and debris after the accident.
The crash moved the home three inches on its foundation, caused smoke damage and disabled some electrical wiring and the telephone line, Mr. Tar said.
When the fire started, Mr. Tar said, he ran outside but could not see anybody although he heard someone inside the truck.
''They were underneath the dashboard,'' he said. ''I heard his last gasp.''( that was my brother he heard, the driver was already dead)
Family and friends of both men arrived at the scene Sunday afternoon to survey the damage.
Sherry Montgomery, Mr. Robinson's aunt, said Mr. Robinson was married and had a child. He had recently started a new job.
''It's just an absolute shock,'' Mrs. Montgomery said. ''Shawn was a gentle type person, a good friend.
''It was needless. It could have been prevented.''
This was my brother september 2nd 2001. He rode with a drunk driver and died. There is no excuse for that. They were both drinking and careless...dont let this happen to you. My bother burned to death because he did not die on impact. This happens every day.
THIS CAN BE PREVENTED!
I Love You Always Chris <3 Always, & Forever, Ann-Anise <3
Posts
